Milan FC heads to Newcastle sitting at the bottom of their Champions League group table with just 5 points, yet they still harbor hopes of progressing to the last 16.
This feat is by no means impossible, as other Italian clubs such as Atalanta and Roma have demonstrated. Atalanta managed to pull off a similar feat in the 2019-20 season when they started with three consecutive losses, only to turn it around with a 3-0 victory over Shakhtar. This, along with Manchester City’s 4-1 drubbing of Dinamo Zagreb, allowed them to qualify.
Roma also challenged the odds in the 2015-16 season. Despite having only 5 points in their first 5 matches, a goalless draw with Bate Borisov was sufficient to get them through to the knock-out phase.
In fact, since 2003, thirteen teams have advanced to the last 16 starting from clusters of 5 points or less before the final game. Italy’s top teams have often demonstrated the ability to turn the tide when it matters the most.
As a reminder, these scenarios are not just wishful thinking, they’re episodes engrained in the history of Champions League football. Milan fans can keep their optimism high despite the odds as the final games approach.
It’s safe to say the last word has not yet been spoken about Milan’s qualification for the last 16.